Writings on the Interesting

Though recently the landscaping arts have gained respect and popularity, the British artists Heather Ackroyd and Dan Harvey’s work definitely puts a new twist to the term when they use grass as their medium in numerous works.

In Ackroyd and Harvey’s site they describe their work as a culmination of architecture, biology, photography, and sculpture to create works that have “an intrinsic bias towards process and event and often reflecting urban political ecologies by highlighting the temporal nature of processes of growth and decay.” Their earlier works used architecture as their canvas on a grand scale with such pieces as shown below.

Dilston Grove (2003)

Theaterhaus Gessnerallee (1993)

The Undertaking (L’Antre-Prise) 1992

Now, their newest work is an ingenious use of natural process and creativity. Ackroyd and Harvey have been using the natural production of chlorophyll through photosynthesis as a photographic process of developing portraits “printed” on grass. They manipulated the light the grass received by projecting the negative image onto it which produces shades of rich greens and yellows to bring the composition out.

Testament (2011-1998)

Park Ave + Resident (2011)

Presence (1992)

Up close the photos simple look like a patch of grass, but as the observer moves further away, the portraits grow clearer, crisper and into focus. The greatest part of this process for me, as a fan of ephemeral art, is the fact that though the image can last for quite a long time as the grass grows the image out, it will fade, change color, and age like a vintage photograph as depicted clearly in the picture below off of the Domaine de Chamarande site where their work is currently on view until September 30th, 2012 in France.

So lately I’ve been noticing an up and coming “trend” so to speak. Artists have been collecting tid-bits, text, and technology of things that were usually only illustrated through our imagination.

First was the highly impressive and equally disturbing sculpture of Beavis and Butthead from special effects makeup artist Kevin Kirkpatrick from Hollywood for his exhibition Conjoined 2.

These sculptures are made from silicone, with acrylic eyes and teeth, real human hair, and T-shirts. Check out more of Kevin’s insanely impressive art at his site, and pray that his next installment into our youth’s media nostalgia is not as masterfully accurate and haunting… may the Simpsons, Rugrats (not counting the disturbing youtube video), and many other animated classics forever stay sacred.

Then I stumbled upon a sketch of the ever offensive and always enlighteningly humorous favorite 4th graders from South Park. Though I’m not completely positive of its origins I believe one of the animators created a realistic sketch of the 4 young fellas. Sadly, I can not find the artists name of this sketch:

I also stumbled upon a collection of colored sketches of some of the rest of the cast by another anonymous artist.

Most recently, I’ve discovered this on going project by Brian Joseph Davis entitled The Composites where he uses law enforcement composite sketch software to create an image of classic literary characters. A spectacular and original concept that really connects the arts and technology.

Daisy Buchanan, The Great Gatsby

Humbert Humbert, Lolita

Emma Bovary, Madame Bovary

Go to Brian’s tumblr account to check out the other literary characters he’s brought to life, and even suggest a character yourself for him to do by simply leaving the name under his sites “suggest a character” tab with a description found in their novels text. These odd renderings, though obviously rout with computer composite features are still fascinating, but don’t ruin ones personally created identities from these beloved novels.They actually draw an intriguing comparison between ours and the softwares take of these people.

So what and who is to come next in the creation of realism in our fictional literary and animated loves? Will there be a new technique or subject to be brought to life and light? I know I can’t wait to see it.

I’m loving this Chromatic Typewriter created by artist Tyree Callahan! He modified a 1937 Underwood Standard typewriter by replacing the ink pads with color paint pads, and swapped out letters for coinciding color markings. Pure genius! He has entered this piece into the 2012 West Prize competition (Vote) where anyone can go and vote for their favorite.

It’s a pleasant change from the previous typewriter art of old where letters, numbers, and punctuation lend themselves isn’t it? Quite honestly, whether it functioned or not, he had me at color… beautiful in execution, composition, and function. You can’t go wrong with color or vintage.

Some of you may have seen this already some where around the net, but I had to post it. Dave Devries created this book entitled: The Monster Engine where he brings to life children’s drawings.

This original, jaw dropping, eye opening, yet completely simple concept will have you saying: Why didn’t I think of that? But you didn’t, and Dave Devries did, and trust me when I say: I think he was the best for the job.

Inspired by his nieces drawings in his sketchbook, this painter, who worked for Marvel and DC comics bringing their cartoons to life, made the effortless step towards bringing the youths illustrations to life… or at least 3D. He brilliantly formatted the book to show the side by side drawings partnered with portraits of the child creators, and their interviews on their subjects. Devries describes his process simply:

“I project a child’s drawing with an opaque projector, faithfully tracing each line. Applying a combination of logic and instinct, I then paint the image as realistically as I can. “

He does so mainly with acrylic paint, airbrush and colored pencil; and therein, his genius lies.

To read and see more of Dave Devries work, please visit his site: themonsterengine.com

Once you’ve looked through his Artwork section, I highly recommend you check out his Larger Works tab. It’s truly awe inspiring, and make sure to look at the child’s original as well.

In a world where the undead have taken over, leaving zombies and vampires running rampant through our TV/movie screens and fantasy love lives, it’s no surprise that an influx of “dead” art is showing its self. Though not a completely new medium, there are many new, fascinating, sometimes bizarre, and mainly beautiful new takes on the re-purposing of a creatures body. In the Victorian era there were the photos of the dead for a slightly morbid, yet comforting family photo album, then the use of taxidermied birds in Robert Rauschenberg’s installations such as Canyon, and most recently taking center stage with BODIES The Exhibition where preserved, dissected human bodies were showcased. Now taxidermy is no longer a part of art, but the art itself lending numerous breathtaking, head scratching, and thought provoking additions to the art world as of late.

Mike Libby writes in his artist statement on his website http://www.insectlabstudio.com: “This hybridization of insects and technology from both fields, is where Insect Lab borrows from. Insect Lab celebrates these correspondences and contradictions. The work does not intend to function, but playfully and slyly insists that it possibly could.” His mix of insect carcasses and watch parts, really creates a possible futuristic world.

Another artist who takes inspiration from science fiction and steam punk art on a bit larger scale is Lisa Black whose piece Fixed – Turtle also mixes taxidermy, metal, and antique watch parts to create a seemingly robotic turtle. Another of her pieces, Fixed – Fawn is a seemingly flawless culmination of creature and creation that leads the viewer into an immediate thought of cyborg woodland creature. [www.behance.net/LisaBlack]

Keeping up with the woodland creature theme, Myeongbeom Kim’s creations come from a much different view than Mike and Lisa’s work. His installations provoke a surreal, beautiful fantasy world that simply channels ones imaginations and memories of childhood fairy tales. Kim’s artistic take on taxidermy derives from addition, not subtraction like Mike and Lisa; not making it something else, but something more.

Now we can talk about taxidermy as something new. Geza Szollosi has a series entitled: My Pets or Taxidermy Project, about putting the skin on a different form than the animals usual body shape which is the foundation of taxidermy. The most original, and “rule” breaking take on taxidermy, his cow hyde sculptures create an almost caricatured likeness of the bovine, ballooned head and all. He has also done the same with a guinea pig, deer and wild boar.

He has a lot less tame sculptures including horse heads set on pedestals like chess board knights, a snake dissected showing a piglet in its belly, or hamsters vs. squirrels as a fussball game. His other series, specifically Project Flesh, includes animal parts, mainly pig flesh molded into a much more realistic and profane human likeness that evoke a much more impactful and jarring reaction, as well as subject matter rout with the artist’s take on some social commentary. Check out his website: http://szollosi.eu/

Recently I was reminded of one of the most touching photography series (still on-going) I have ever seen. Brought to my attention by a photographer that was actually one of my wedding photographers assistants, it’s a stunning look into the everyday life of living with cancer. It is chillingly beautiful, heart-wrenchingly moving, and emotionally draining.

angelomerendinophoto.com

Angelo Merendino chronicles his wife’s, Jen, battle with breast cancer through the art of photography. Please view for yourself their loving story of strength told in black and white by checking the links below: first is the website of all his photos of Jen, second is his page for their documentary, and third is where I first experienced their struggle in One Life: an international photo competition.

I have never been so moved by photos before, bringing me to tears every time I view them, while making me grin from the obvious love that they share for each other, and the strength that gets them through each day. You will never see so much honesty, reality and humanity than you will in Angelo’s work of Jen. His journalistic, yet candidly personal style is captivating.

I’ve decided to start an on going addition to my art blog with a segment entitled: ART? As we all know there are moments when we’re journeying through exhibitions, books/articles, or news that spark the question: is this really art? Obviously, art is very subjective when it comes to topic, technique or overall beauty/talent/originality, but when does art cross the line into ridiculous and over the top? I guess that is subjective too.

Looking back into my youth I remember certain art that made it in the headlines: Chris Ofili’s “The Holy Virgin Mary“, Daniel Edwards multiple celebrity sculptures (which continue to), the Barack Obama “Hope” poster by Shepard Fairey to name a few. All controversial for different reasons, but when do we suddenly go from hot topic to ridiculous excuse for “Art”? Those are the pieces/performances that make the art world such a joke to some people. People see/read about these things and their opinion that art enthusiasts or artist themselves are egocentric, arrogant jokes that do anything and call it art seem to be validated. Some are much easier to defend than others.

Today’s example is NYC performance artist Marni Kotak whose on-going and soon to reach climax performance piece at The Microscope Gallery. Entitled: The Birth of Baby X, Marni plans on giving birth to her first child in her exhibition space within the gallery that has been turned into a bedroom equipped with birthing pool, numerous photos from her three baby showers, as well as paintings from her painter husband… Personally, I’m not very supportive of this performance piece. I am definitely asking myself: Is this Art? Performance Art for me is a delicate balance of originality, importance in purpose/idea, and beauty in its execution. For me this piece is not on the same level as some of Chris Burden’s work (in shock value or subject matter), and not as brilliant, startling and insightfully disturbing a look into the human psyche as Marina Abramovic’s Rhythm 0.

Some people are calling it: “daring, challenging, and honest” or “interesting, crazy, and intriguing”. I suppose all of which are true, but I see it more of a spectacle… especially when I read that she will explain her child’s birth to him/her slowly and organically ultimately culminating with the ending message that they were “born in an art gallery because, as artists, that is our sacred space, and in doing this we are telling the world and our child that his or her life is a precious work of art.” Frankly, I don’t think we need to give birth to our children in galleries to prove that, and I also don’t think child birth is such a taboo and mystery (just ask the numerous TV shows outlining the entire endeavor and it’s twists, turns, taboos, and stupidities), but I suppose she is the first to do it in a public space (intentionally) for all to see… I don’t know, you decide.